Chapter 14: Some Pretty Nasty Insults
A Deal with the Devil?
“Doctor Ella, hello. I’m Seraphina’s agent, Cindy Smith. You can call me Cindy.”
The woman before Sonya had a sharp bob haircut, a light blue pantsuit, and rimless glasses—the perfect image of a professional agent.
Cindy stepped forward, offering a hand.
Sonya didn’t take it.
Her hands stayed in her pockets.
Cindy chuckled, unfazed.
“Doctor Ella, you’re under thirty, right? Young people act impulsively without thinking.”
Sonya raised an eyebrow.
“What should I have thought?”
Cindy sighed as if talking to a child.
“For instance, before posting that photo, you could have consulted us. We might have bought it for a million or two. By the way, how much do you make a month?”
Sonya clicked her tongue.
“So a photo can sell for that much?”
She feigned regret.
“It’s not too late. You can say the photo was staged—that you went up to Mr. Jennings and deliberately held his hand on purpose.”
Sonya smirked.
“And I deliberately made him smile at me? That makes perfect sense.”
Cindy’s smile didn’t falter.
“Doctor Ella, you don’t understand. Netizens don’t care about the truth. Just control the narrative, and anything can become real.”
Sonya nodded, playing along.
“Too bad.”
Cindy frowned.
“Too bad what?”
“I don’t need the money.”
Cindy’s smile vanished.
She glanced at Seraphina, as if to say, She’s going to be a problem.
Then her tone turned cold.
“I heard your parents are deceased, and you have no other relatives here, right?”
Sonya’s smirk didn’t waver.
“No parents, no family. You have to carry everything alone. How pitiful!”
Cindy’s eyes narrowed.
“You should be more practical instead of messing with someone you can’t afford to mess with.”
Sonya shrugged.
“So, what happens if I mess with you guys?”
Cindy’s gaze turned sharp.
“This hospital belongs to the Jennings family. Seraphina’s marrying Mr. Jennings. Once she’s Mrs. Jennings, firing you will be easy.”
Sonya chuckled.
“I can work at another hospital.”
Cindy’s smirk returned.
“Jennings Medical is the industry leader. If they want, no hospital will hire you.”
Sonya pursed her lips.
Threats?
She knew the Jennings family could do it.
“Bribery failed, so now it’s intimidation.”
She sneered, tilting her chin.
“What if I don’t work as a doctor anymore?”
Cindy sighed, feigning patience.
“Doctor Ella, why bother? Just take the blame and endure some online abuse. You’re not a celebrity. It’s nothing.”
Sonya’s jaw clenched.
“The label ‘homewrecker’ is too dirty. I can’t hear it. And I didn’t do anything dirty.”
Cindy’s face darkened.
“You—”
Crocodile Tears and a Hard Slap
Seraphina burst into tears.
Julian entered just then, carrying a thermal food container.
He passed it to Seraphina’s assistant and turned to see her crying.
Seraphina ran to Sonya, voice trembling.
“Sonya, I love my career. Please don’t ruin me.”
Sonya scoffed.
Cindy threatened me just now, and now, with Julian here, Seraphina acts like a victim?
Seraphina’s voice wavered.
“I know you hate me because Julian is marrying me, not you. I’m sorry. Just clarify the photo online. Don’t let those netizens attack me. I can’t take it anymore. I’m afraid I’ll try to kill myself again.”
Sonya’s temper flared.
“So just because you’re afraid of online abuse and losing your career, I should be the one to suffer? Why? You did wrong; you bear the consequences. I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I take the blame?”
Seraphina’s tears intensified.
“Should I kneel?”
She moved to kneel, but Julian stopped her.
“Julian, help me! She hates me for taking you away. Fine. After we marry, she can still be with you. I’ll turn a blind eye.”
Sonya’s blood boiled.
Her hand shot out, aiming to slap Seraphina—
Julian grabbed her wrist.
Fine.
She slapped Julian instead.
The impact echoed through the room.
“How dare you insult me like this!”
Julian’s face hardened.
He glared at Sonya, his usual arrogance faltering at the sight of her teary eyes.
Then—
Cindy’s phone buzzed.
She glanced at it, and her face drained of color.
“Oh no, crap!”
Seraphina turned, startled.
“What is it?”
Cindy’s hands shook as she read.
“Seraphina, photos of you and Liam Stone are online. Trending now!”
Seraphina’s face went white.
“Who… who’s doing this to me?!”
Cindy’s fingers trembled over her screen.
“We don’t know yet.”
Then—
A message popped up on her phone.
“I give you ten minutes to clarify everything about Doctor Ella. Otherwise, more will be revealed.”
Cindy’s head snapped up.
She showed the message to Julian and Seraphina.
Both turned to Sonya.
Seraphina’s voice shook.
“Is it you?”
Sonya sneered.
“Do you think I did this?”
Julian ran a hand down his face.
Then—
He sat down, pulled out his phone, and began typing.
Seconds later, a new post appeared from his account.
“Sonya and I dated for eight years, starting in college. The online rumors about her are false. Regarding Seraphina, I started dating her before breaking up with Sonya. Neither of them knew that. Sonya and I have broken up, and Seraphina’s baby is mine. I apologize to both of them. Please stop speculating and judging them. They are not at fault. I am.”
Julian took all the blame.
Sonya closed her phone.
She didn’t care who took the fall.
She cared about her own reputation.
Who Is Protecting Sonya?
Back at her office, Ashley rushed in.
“Sonya, you really don’t have anyone behind you?”
Sonya frowned.
“Why do you ask that?”
Ashley held up her phone.
“Those intimate photos of Seraphina and Liam weren’t leaked by someone in the showbiz industry. No celebrity would risk exposing themselves. But whoever did this is breaking the rules—attacking two major entertainment companies at once.”
Sonya’s mind raced.
Then—
She remembered the message sent to Cindy.
Someone was protecting her.
But who?
A name flashed in her mind.
She pulled out her phone and texted Henry.
“You did this?”
